In the blink of an eye, Ahmed's home and his shop were bombed into rubble. Now he is struggling to provide for his family. Oxfam and partners have been distributing emergency food vouchers to 50,000 families like Ahmad's.

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Nearly 4 million people remain in urgent need in South Sudan following the conflict that broke out in December 2013. Over 1.9 million people have fled their homes and are displaced within the country and over 467,000 have fled to neighboring countries. We have reached more than 360,000 people with life saving essentials, but we urgently need to reach more.

Four years after the beginning of the conflict in Syria the war shows no sign of abating. Massive numbers of people have fled conflict areas and are now living in inadequate shelter within Syria or in neighboring countries.

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Benin

Populated by 9.1 million inhabitants, Benin ranks 167th out of 187 countries on the 2011 UNDP Human Development Index (HDI). The country’s economy rests primarily on agriculture, trade and the transit of goods through the Autonomous Port of Cotonou.

Benin’s inhabitants are generally very young, which is a growing concern for both government and civil society actors. With 44.7% of its population falling under the age of 15, the country is preparing for the massive entry of young people onto the job market by 2025.

Living below the poverty line

A recent national survey of household living conditions showed an increase in the poverty rate, from 28.5% in 2002, to 39% in 2010, meaning that more than one in three Beninese lives below the poverty line.

A significant number of Beninese women work in the small business sector. However, this does not necessarily translate into fair recognition of their work or in fair pay, as evidenced by the predominance of women working in the informal sector.

Oxfam in Benin

Active in Benin since 1985, we work to support and strengthen the country’s national structures. In supporting our civil society partners, we focus specifically on women and youth.

Together, we work to end inequalities between men and women, and to enable young people to play an active and responsible role in their country’s social, economic and cultural life.

Empower women and girls through, for instance, combating gender-based violence and promoting women’s access to land. Transform power relations and change behavio, for instance, by advocating more effectively with state and civil society actors.

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